Beware of those adjectives!

ozziepost

Did you realise that Joe Ratherflawed spoke in a "fatherly tone"? You didn't? Well, that's what the July 15 issue of The Watchtower says.

In a section obviously intended to boost the reputation of JFR in the minds of modern-day Witnesses, the skilful use of adjectives conjures up a picture of kind benevolence.

In just 4 paragraphs, expressions used are "largest convention", "listened intently", "fatherly tone", "children rose as one body", "burst of applause", "prolonged applause", "moving talk", "long line", "gift copy", "moved the audience to tears", "memorable assembly".

Now try reading these four paragraphs without the adjectives. They weren't essential to the story but they sure help to tug at the heartstrings.

It reminds me of the adulation of despots like Mao Tse Tung and Stalin who were written about during their regimes in similar language to this article.

Note this quote in this section from an "eyewitness": "Only a heart of stone would not be moved at the spectacle of youth [showing] complete trust and faith in their God, Jehovah". Yet this section was about Rutherford giving a talk! So the writers intend for their readers to esteem JFR who basks in the glory of Jehovah!

Cheers,
Ozzie

"A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies"
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON, The Grandmother

Fredhall

Ozziepost,

Do you wish your dad was Judge Rutherford?

ozziepost

Now Fred, you've laid yourself wide open there, old son!

So, I can't resist taking advantage!!

No, I certainly DO NOT wish that my father was Joe Rutherford. (I notice you like to give him a 'title'.) I know that if he had been my father, then I would never have been blessed with a father who raised me. Heard of Malcolm Rutherford, Fred?

I'm thankful to my parents that they raised me together. That's not what Malcolm could say, poor guy.

Cheers,
Ozzie

"A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies"
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON, The Grandmother

Fredhall

Ozzie,

I heard of Malcolm Rutherford. Oh! By the way, I did not give him a title. That title was given to him.

ozziepost

So Fred, if you've heard of Malcolm, how could you suggest that anyone wish to be his brother?

By the way, I did not give him a title. That title was given to him.

Do you think it would be appropriate for a 'brother' to bear a title within the congregation?

Cheers,
Ozzie

"A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies"
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON, The Grandmother

Fredhall

Ozzie,

Don't tell that you are jealous because you was not given the title?

ozziepost

Fred, sorry, but I'm not going to post my titles at present. When I'm ready, you'll be the first to know, I'm sure!

Now, don't side-step the point about Joe Ratherflawed being an abysmal father figure. Dare you deny the facts?

Cheers,
Ozzie

"A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies"
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON, The Grandmother

Fredhall

Ozziepost,

How do you know that Rutherford was abysmal father figure? Are you his son?

drahcir yarrum

I once had a leisurely Saturday afternoon conversation with an elderly man at Bethel who was there with Rutherford and the picture he painted of Rutherford was quite the contrary of "fatherly". It seems Rutherford was quite the drinker and often frequented Manhattan drinking establishments, returning to Bethel hammered. He also had quite a temper and showed little mercy for those who made the mistake of crossing him. I know that some unfortunates have had fathers like that, but not me.

Fredhall

Drahcir,

I hope that elderly man wasn't James Penton?

Beware of those adjectives!

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